FYI BasicMed even while you have a FAA Class medical?

[Neal]

I currently have a FAA Class 2 and I'm going back to BasicMed when it expires in August. I had BasicMed before, thought I may open myself up to cub ferrying so I got the Class 2 but decided against that and the risk of FAA medicals as we age are something to be aware of. In my recent research for some questions about medications and BasicMed I came across an article (can't find it again, yet) that suggested even if you have a FAA medical (1, 2, 3) you should still have a BasicMed as long as BasicMed is all you really need for your type of flying. If you lose your medical for whatever reason, you've got problems, but if you have a BasicMed, you can fallback to that from what I understand and continue to fly under those privileges.

If true, something to consider for anyone that does not carry BasicMed which is very easy to get (your family doctor and an online test).

 

[Cubonaut875]

Definitely true! Everyone should carry Basic Med in addition to any Class of medical. As I understand it; say you have prostrate problems that requires treatment, if you only have a Class 1,2,3 you are down until you have all special issuances complete. If having concurrent BasicMed, You can continue to fly and maybe decide not to even pursue any Special Issuances and take that chance. With the advent of Mosaic, I would think even BasicMed becomes obsolete for continuing to fly a Carbon Cub.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

You cannot fall back to Basic Med or MOSAIC if you fail an FAA medical for any class. Having Basic Med before failing doesn't help.

 

[Neal]

You cannot fall back to Basic Med or MOSAIC if you fail an FAA medical for any class. Having Basic Med before failing doesn't help.

I don't believe that's correct.

Edit: I think it depends on the situation. Denied vs deferred, etc.

Also found this:

Holding FAA Medical and BasicMed Certificates at the Same Time?

Can you hold an FAA medical certificate and BasicMed at the same time? Absolutely, and you should. Granted, at first blush it does seem unnecessary to do so. After all, you are healthy and don’t have any major medical problems. You aren’t a smoker, not a major drinker and you might have a...

www.supercub.org

 

[Cactus Charlie]

BasicMed

• Your FAA Medical must not have been denied, revoked, or suspended, or have had your most recent authorization for a special issuance was withdrawn, for any reason

 

[Neal]

BasicMed

• Your FAA Medical must not have been denied, revoked, or suspended, or have had your most recent authorization for a special issuance was withdrawn, for any reason

This is why you get it BEFORE that happens...from what I understand. See the thread I linked above for scenarios by an AME.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

I suggest you ask AOPA. Post the answer here.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

This is why you get it BEFORE that happens

AOPA makes it very clear that having Basic Med before failing an FAA medical DOES NOT allow you to continue using Basic Med after that failure -

"If your most recent application for an FAA medical certificate or the certificate itself has been denied, revoked, or suspended or your most recent authorization for special issuance was withdrawn, you will need to obtain a new medical certificate before you can operate under BasicMed. "

Note that is specifically states "operate under" not "apply for".

ref - BasicMed

 

[Cubonaut875]

That is correct for sure, the scenario is this: you have a 2nd Class medical, you get dehydrated from mowing the lawn get dizzy and pass out, you go to the ER and have a rapid heart rate. All is good after a night in the hospital. Your personal physician says you are good, you were prepared enough to have concurrent 2nd class medical and basic med. Your 2nd class medical expires in a month. If you only have the second class medical you are going to have to jump hoops to get it approved. You decide you are only going to fly your Supercub for fun and have no need to have a second class medical. You let it lapse and you are still good to go under basic med. You did not flunk your FAA medical- you let it lapse. There are many other scenarios where concurrent FAA medical and Basic Med are a good idea

 

[Neal]

If you haven't read this link written by an AME, you should. There are scenarios where it doesn't work, there are scenarios where it is good to have. It's worth getting if you see your doctor annually as I do for physicals anyway. You only need the doctor sign off every 4 years. Why not?

 

[Cactus Charlie]

Why not?

I don't need to be convinced that BasicMed is a good idea. I was a very early adopter.

I only commented on this thread because you appeared to believe you could continue to fly under BasicMed after failing an FAA medical - you cannot.

I no longer have any reason to apply for an FAA medical and I do not plan to. If I fail I am grounded.

 

[Neal]

I think the lesson learned is some aviators think a FAA class medical is a form of achievement without understanding the risk. Instead, I suggest considering getting the medical that suits your needs as a pilot. Over achieving by carrying a medical higher than necessary puts you at risk. My getting a Class 2 could have done just that and I am lucky. I was on BasicMed, went Class 2 to open the option to commercial ticket features (ferry flights), and I'm going back to BasicMed as I have no need for anything more.

And per this thread, just because you have a FAA medical doesn't mean you can't also get a BasicMed which may or may not help if something comes up. It's worth getting if you can for those of us with more laps around the sun than others.